Is Black Desert Online Pay To Win?

Microtransactions are a part of the video game world whether players like it or not. They’re a way for developers to either get money from a free-to-play title (via small purchases to help players get more playing time or certain items) or to get more money via the players desire to get everything in the game (such as lootboxes). But for some, this has created a new kind of dynamic in video games: Pay-to-win. And now, many MMORPGs are apparently a part of this, potentially including Black Desert Online.

This notion comes from Redditor GodGMN, who believes that in some ways, Black Desert Online with its microtransactions is a P2W MMORPG, even if others don’t believe that’s the case. He then lists some of the proof of this by noting that the game allows you to buy multiple pets, that way you can “grind twice as fast.”

There’s also a way to buy more money, and get more in the game itself as you travel. You can even buy expensive items to sell them on the market for in-game money. And finally, you can buy and upgrade certain things that’ll help you progress through the game much faster than anyone who doesn’t spend their own money.

He then lays out a scenario perfectly detailing why these aspects do make Black Desert Online Pay-To-Win. But not everyone is on board with this notion. Many Redditors think that while these P2W aspects do help the player who does it, it doesn’t make them “win” the game, as MMORPGs are virtually impossible to win.

Others think that just because it seems like it’s P2W doesn’t mean it is, and the term itself isn’t accurate to what it is or should be. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.